Winter Park To Save Live Oaks City Will Buy Land 100-year-old Trees Span, Halt Development On Lot

August 14, 1987|By Yvonne C.T. Vassel of The Sentinel Staff

WINTER PARK — A cluster of massive, 100-year-old live oak trees will be saved from the ax and become the centerpiece of a new mini-park once the city buys a lot at Hollywood and Phelps avenues.

One after another, residents came before the commission Tuesday to describe the beauty of the trees and what their loss would mean to the neighborhood south of Aloma Avenue.

The trees, estimated to be at least 100 years old, spread their branches over three vacant lots that owner Olive Harris wanted to subdivide for two houses.

But, when the request to split the property into two lots first came before the planning and zoning commission in early July, discussion bogged down on how to save the trees.

City Planner Jeff Briggs said the oaks are four trunks growing so closely together that they appear to be two V-shaped trees. If two houses were built on the lots, most of the trees would have to be removed. In addition to having a wide root base, the huge limbs of one of the trees spread close to the ground over most of the south side of the lots.

The zoning board delayed a decision so Briggs could have time to work out options with builder Phil Diorio. The option proposed by Diorio, who has a contract to buy the land, was for him to build only one house on a large 96- foot-wide lot. The remainder of the property, a 50-foot-wide lot with the trees, would be bought by the city and turned into a park.

One resident, Fred Patterson of Phelps Avenue, said he did not think the city should use taxpayers' money to ''buy a tree.'' He also said it would add to the city's maintenance budget but urged the city to give the property owner a fair price if officials decided to buy the land.

Other residents urged the city to buy the land if that was the only way the trees could be saved.

''I think the character of the city is well presented by the presence of that tree,'' said Dr. Tully Blalock, who has offices on Hollywood Avenue.

City Manager David Harden estimated it could cost the city about $42,000 to buy the land. Money from the recent sale of the city's old water tank property on Glenridge Way could be used for that, he said.

Briggs said the city will negotiate a contract with the owner and also get an independent property appraisal done. Additionally, the commission will review the final site plans to ensure the house Diorio builds will give maximum clearance to the trees.

Despite all the care being taken, however, parts of the lower branches of one tree will have to be cut to make room for the new house.